Happy Almost-Friday! There are 29 days left until spring (but only 10 more days until meteorological spring). Birthdays: Copernicus, Kay Boyle, Carson McCullers, Smokey Robinson, Amy Tan. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in L'Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha.
Reminder: on 2/20, we'll honor the Lunar New Year (which was on Tuesday) by wearing a fragrance that reflects the qualities of the (Fire) Horse: energy, enthusiasm, independence and passion.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2026, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Pony [cropped] by mazz_5 at flickr; some rights reserved.
Robin-photo today makes me miss horseback riding. That mane! Melting…
For my CP today, I’m wearing Rose de Chine by Tom Ford, and sipping Thé au Tibet by Mariage Frères.
I’ll be volunteering later, so I’ll miss part of the USA women’s hockey game—but I hope they come out playing like they’re wielding sticks of lava! 🔥🏒
Reading The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe
Notes in my SOTD: Chinese Peony, Rose, Myrrh and Labdanum
II’m intrigued by your book, loves to smell good. Are you enjoying it? And I loved your description of the deep coral lipstick you wrote about a few days ago-I love that colour, but it’s not one I can wear.
I’m really enjoying the book —
Without giving too much away, it follows a man who travels to the desert to study insects. After missing his train, he’s offered lodging in a house nestled deep within the sand dunes. Inside lives a woman, seemingly alone. What begins as an unexpected overnight stay slowly reveals itself to be something far more claustrophobic.
Today I am in Chanel lippy-Nuance, I was planning on pairing my SOTD with a TF lippy, but my Casablanca color is all finished. Maybe if I use a q-tip I can get a little bit out. Do I need to repurchase?-I don’t know-I have so many lipsticks.
I bought Nuance, when it came out-it’s a really pretty neutral on me. And sometimes a person can find TF products at CCO, if they’re lucky 🙂
I love Nuance too. The color is almost too close to justify buying the TF one…
I love Woman of the Dunes. One of the most claustrophobic novels ever written, I reckon. The movie from the 1960s is also very good, all that falling sand and digging. Hope your volunteering goes well.
Ah, yes-I have the Criterion Collection channel-that’s where I saw this title. Thanks you, Kanuka.
I will watch the movie when I finish if I can find it!
The novel has a physiological element -but I can’t look away! LOL
Yes, the movie is superb. Definitely a must watch if one’s read the book (though I haven’t read it, only watched).
Sticks of Lava! Some hockey team should market that for their own team’s fragrance tie-in! Love it LTSG!
It is a darned handsome horse!
I’m wearing Bigarade Concentree-love a good orange scent. this one also has a hay note so I’m respectfully claiming partial points for the CP this week.
We had horses when I was a kid, and I loved cleaning their hooves. I’m amazed those big workhorses and bad tempered ponies would stand stock still for a small child to clean their hooves. It’s a nice memory.
I also love cleaning the hooves of horses. And brushing their bodies and combing the mane..
yes! At my grandfather’s there was a huge block of blue salt, with a huge nail going through it. I remember the Clydesdales taking a huge satisfying lick of it at the end of the day 🙂
Clydesdales! So beautiful.
Carole ITA such a charming memory!
Thank you, LesLiesse 🙂
Majda Bekkali Mon Nom Est Rouge. Energy and Passion.
Glannys, I can only imagine the powerhouse scent behind the translated My Name is Red. Not for the faint of heart, definitely for energy, passion, enthusiasm and independence!
It has a a very powerful opening – it certainly makes a statement, filling the space around. The dry-down is much softer and cuddlier. Rose with spices and resins. Also, it still does not reach the levels of power of POAL, in my opnion.
While the copy on MB’s website is rather over-the-top, I still think it’s well-written:
“I am on the petals of roses and on the wounds of war.
My name is red.
I am scarlet or carmine. I embody desire, passion, seduction and strength.
I reveal myself and catch the eye.
But what does being a colour really mean?
If you had to describe me to a person blind from birth, what would you say?
Well, you see, I am primarily a feeling.
If I were a fabric, I would be velvet.
If I were a flavour, I would fill the mouth with a taste of flesh and blood.
And if I were a perfume?
I would be both powerful and enveloping, vivid, scandalous and enchanting;
I would be reassuring and narcotic, majestic and hypnotic.”
I receive a Poem-a-Day in my inbox and often it can’t compare to the descriptions of fragrance. What you transcribed is heartbreakingly lyrical for me, especially that last line Glannys.
Thank you, Glannys. Red is my favorite in everything, and this poem is beautiful and so evocative.
We have the makings of a perfect day today. The wind finally wound down, the sun is blasting in a clear blue sky, there’s cool air everywhere, and we are about to embark on a long meandering walk. 🏜️
I’m wearing SHL 777 Taklamakan because my theme for the week seems to be “Desert Appropriate.” This is such lovely stuff, which was made even more lovely because a former NSTer sent me the bottle. If you’re still out there reading after all these years, Many Thanks!
Carson McCullers! Wow, the Ballad of the Sad Café was such a wonder to me back in the day! Love the twisted quirkiness of Southern Gothic literature. Probably one of my favorite genres.
Stay safe out there!
Deva, have you read S.A. Crosby’s crime novels? They are pure contemporary southern gothic. But noir, not Agatha Christie.
S.A. Crosby has great novels.
I loved all of Carson McCullers back in the day but have not found rereading rewarding…not sure if that is her or me 🙂
Happy Thursday NST!
Sotd FM The Night gifted from an extremely generous NSTer that I suspect secretly won the lottery because this masterpiece is $$$. Similar to those très cher Hermes Fire Horse bag charms that our Enabler-in-Chief posted yesterday.
But I digress from the carnal and intoxicating The Night. Again like yesterday my skin chemistry had to wrangle her into a somewhat wearable submission as my parsed spray (to make this precious gift last) was completely enveloping in throw and overpowering. I had to sit down actually. She’s a wild mustang but leading her pack of untameable beauties on a heck of a journey. Can’t wait to see where she goes in a few hours!
One of her reviews mentioned a scent I actually have – SA Rose of Dangerous Flamenco. RODF is a well-trained little Shetland pony compared to the utter abandon of The Night. The oud is primal here, galloping away while the saffron and rose ate like the mane and tail whipping the wind, along for the ride. Therefore, energy, passion and independence for the CP.
What a poetic description of The Night – and very fitting for the CP.
🔥🐎🤗
I have a sample of this-I need to try it:)
I strongly urge you to- it’s an olfactory adventure.
I have never even heard of this scent from FM. Sounds like a powerhouse.
PowerHorse ! 😉
I don’t know if I’d like The Night-saffron, rose and oud have failed me in the past-but your description is how I want my perfumes to make me feel!
MB, have you read Glannys description above of Mon Nom est Rouge?
The Night is SO gorgeous!
Meant to add that I have a dupe because $$$$😬
Yes so gorgeous! May I ask the dupe’s name and brand? Frugal Minds would like to know 😉
It’s from Oil Perfumery, a Canadian company and looks like it currently retails for $25 which is perfumemath free!
Ah, would that I had won the lottery! Nothing so exciting; I merely suffer from occasional bouts of ill-advised extravagance.
LesLiesse, I love reading your thoughts on it…
When I was first introduced to The Night, I couldn’t understand it – it just seemed weird and slightly off-putting. But I knew I needed to return to it someday.
Now, I just collapse into it, like a portal to another universe. I think it might be the most extraordinary fragrance on the planet – the scary thing is that it might actually be underpriced.😊
Underpriced? 🤯 a portal to another universe ? Wouldn’t surprise me at all. If no one hears from me tomorrow, then I’ve bent the space-time continuum as I’m reapplying after dinner.
Not following the CP this week, really. I’m in West Coast Perfumery Tribune Bay, which is straight-up vanilla and coconut, though not really a piña colada sort of thing.
Talk of brushing horses gives me a visceral scent memory of the smell of my grandfather’s Belgians. They were lovely horses, though not really for riding.
OG, were the Belgians draft horses? I got to attend the MN state fair once and the barn holding the horses for judging is a vivid memory. So gorgeous, so grand, sooo immense.
Yes, Belgians are draft horses — great for pulling wagons, not so great to ride if you’re a 10-year-old who wants to ride horses. 🙂
Hello.
Sotd is LV Ambre Levant. Oh that oud is diiiirty! The dry down is quite beautiful though. I need to test it a few more times to see if I should “invest”.
I scored my first perfume of the trip, Amouage Outlands. I am so tempted to unbox it but I’ll wait till I get home.
H888C, I don’t understand a dirty oud, let alone one with four i’s. Can you educate me a bit more about what you’re smelling?
Butting in for a bit. Sometimes oud can be, um, fecal smelling. As in Eau de Barnyard.
Eau de Barnyard 😆🤪. ‘Nuff said.
I love Amouge!
That gives me an idea for tomorrow actually!!
I’ve been away for a few days as my son had surgery in another town. Unfortunately it rained and was blowing a gale most of the time so I didn’t get to go out much, beyond the various appointments. Home now and it’s still raining so my enthusiasm and energy and passion feels at a bit of a low ebb. Wearing Mitsuoko because it’s beautiful and matches the beginnings of autumn everywhere: acorn laden oaks, red berries on rowans, and golden leaves. Summer failed to appear this year so hoping autumn is nicer.
I hope your son feels better very soon, and you’ve chosen such a beautiful fragrance to wear for fall. Hope it’s all golden days and long warm evenings.
I hope your son makes a quick recovery.
I share your disappointment at the lack of summer this year.
Prayers that your son makes a complete and speedy recovery Kanuka. Quite disappointing that your summer was so muted. I do hope your fall will have some glorious, picturesque weather!
May your son recover quickly, Kanuka! And I’m sorry you’ve had such a cold wet summer. Bah!
Beautiful scent!
Speedy recovery for your son
Here’s hope that your son is soon recovered! I love seeing oaks full of acorns.
Best wishes for your son to make a swift and complete recovery.
Hope your son recovers well!
Sending healing wishes your way for a speedy recovery for your son. I, too, enjoy Mitsuoko at fall’s emergence. Your description is an apt one!
Glad you were able to be with him.
Fingers crossed for a beautiful autumn!
Sending healing thoughts for your son’s quick recovery!
Best of health wishes to your Son.
Wearing Eau Premiere today since I haven’t worn it in forever. My federal tax refund has been approved and should be in my bank account by Monday. After my dentist appointment on Thursday for a cleaning, I can put down half for a crown that I need and in the next couple weeks, pay the other half to get it. Do I want to get more perfume? Yes but I can’t do that right now.
With that dental work behind you, you can smile beautifully and peacefully Dawn!
Scent cousins? I’m in L’eau today.
You smell great!
Hope your dentist appointment goes smoothly!
I’m wearing Nahema, it is a fabulous rose.
Great rose. Smelling divine.
Definitely a fiery rose!
You smell wonderful-excellent CP choice.
I’m wearing En Passant today. It’s cold and cloudy but there are tiny buds on the maple tree and I saw a bunch of daffodils on a road median the other day. Crocuses are up in my neighbor’s yard and my grape hyacinths have lots of spiky green leaves (but no flowers yet). Spring is coming!
Wild daffodils! I’m closing my eyes and reveling in that image. Thanks for sharing FB!
En Passant is perfect for the weather you are having.
I took my own suggestion from yesterday and wore SL Rousse to bed last night. Mmmm. Red and fiery and fitting for the CP.
I am going with the hay absolute note today in honor of all horses. There are quite a few perfumes which list that as a note. Chergui comes to mind immediately, so that’s what I went with. I am lucky to have a backup bottle thanks to a generous NSTer. This evening I will segue into Felanilla, which also has a hay absolute note among many other yummy things This is also thanks to a lovely NSTer in our most recent swap. Do we have a date for the spring swapmeet, by the way?
Robin, it is raining and 45 degrees here in L.A., which is quite cold for us thin-skinned Angelenos, and while I love Dzongkha so much, I cannot wear it in the cold and must turn to ambery spicy vanillic things. But come hot weather, I spray and respray and find it so cooling and refreshing.
Hay is a great idea — also Brin de Reglisse!
We had nearly the same weather today.
Had an appointment this morning so went with No. 5 L’eau. It’s always a good choice when need of something a little light.
You smell great-
I am so happy to have that one in my collection:)
I’m glad you like it. I know you tend to like the other iterations a bit better.
Did you get the big bottle of No. 5 L’Eau?
Is the big bottle the 3.4 oz? I am on my third bottle, but I haven’t worn it that much the last few years. Plus, I am not sure if I had the large bottle every time.
AFAIK, yes, the 3.4 oz is the big bottle. IDK if there are even bigger ones.
Smelling great Kris!
Thanks Lj.
Dior Dolce Vita, from an excellent vintage bottle. I think it reflects all the Fire Horse traits with its enthusiastic peachy opening and energetically radiating sillage. Independence comes in since I don’t think it is super popular, and passion because I disliked it at first, but now enjoy it.
You smell super good, I too went for a vintage bottle a few years ago.
Dolce Vita is beautiful.
Pears, clementines and yogurt smoothie
For the CP Calèche extrait, as some noted earlier this week the whole Hermès Brandt is compliant with its logo and XIX century history. Tonight PG bodycon, one of my purchases from Black Friday, it’s quite delicious, the three PG I have, are all equally good.
Caleche is perfect, I should have thought of that!
It was a sudden inspiration, I used to wear that extrait more often.
I’m surprised that pears are still in season for you.
They come from Portugal, maybe they have a store of them, they ripen quickly.
I’ve noticed that a lot of pears in the stores here look kind of tired. Lots of bruising on the fruit. Not appealing.
I’m in vintage Equipage from Hermès, feeling very CP compliant.
Yes you are! Plus you smell fantastic.
We had crazy wind and hail earlier today but now it’s sunny! Still cold though. I’m helping my elderly mother in law run some errands right now and wearing Sycomore.
You smell divine!
Hail?!? Yuck!
I’m in CdG Vogue 125 from the fiery red bottle. It’s a beautiful LOTV with some other strange notes thrown in as only CdG can do.
The vinyl note in that one was just too much for me.
Vinyl is a strange note for sure. It comes together for me but I can totally see where it wouldn’t be everybody’s cup of tea.
Have you ever tried YSL Pariseanne (sp?)
It has a less pronounced vinyl note, mixed with rose and I think violet. Its very pretty.
I haven’t but you’ve made me curious…🧐
Oh, a vinyl note is in that? Hard pass!!
SOTD = Neela Vermeire Mohur Extrait
It’s a very very deep rose and violet per my nose. I finally looked at volume and I still have a quarter of the original volume so no harm of thunking!
In other news, here’s a “feel good” gift article from The New York Times. Feel good is in quotes because some are quite dark:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/learning/tiny-memoir-contest-winners.html?unlocked_article_code=1.NVA.Nbc7.vL6otjlpPBYJ&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Does Neela Vermeire still make the extraits?
Some of those were quite dark.
Good for them for writing.
Here is the LA gray wolf story. I hope the link works. If not you can find it by googling Alta online and gray wolf in Los Angeles
https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a70397549/california-gray-wolf-los-angeles-bey03f/
The link works, thanks so much!!
Great read, thanks again Denise.
A transitional day between yesterday’s ‘fake’’ spring warmth and tomorrow’s back-to-normal February temps, with showers and thunderstorms predicted for tonight bringing in tomorrow’s cold and possibly a little snow. A good day to wear a comforting gourmand scent, an oldie-but-a-goodie, YR Orange & Chocolat from its long d/c Fleurs de Noel line. Just dark chocolate and juicy orange, just simply yummy! 😋
Relaxing with a cup of of cranberry hibiscus herbal tea and spice cookies and tucked in for the night.
Happy Thursday!
We really needed this fake spring. It was so nice.
Yes, I am grateful for every minute 🙏!
Wearing Chergui today.
Hi Gail 👋
Hi lillyjo!
It actually felt like Winter here today for the first time in quite a while. Temps hovered in the low to mid 30’s during the day. Supposed to get down around 15 degrees F overnight. Brrrrrrrrr! 🥶🥶🥶🥶
SOTD = back in Midnight Poison again. Wearing The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Body Yogurt in the usual spots.
Stay warm! Will TK be using the heating pad?
LOL, Teflon is *always* using her kitty cat heating pad! But she’s upped the amount of time spent on it.
We’re getting your weather tomorrow. My furbabies enjoyed a lengthy rest on the screened porch this afternoon but they will be surprised tomorrow!
Teflon did NOT care for the change in weather. But she will like next week’s weather much better. It’s going to be ridiculously warm again.
Glad you got some warmth to enjoy!
I actually had a good day at work today. It was quiet, and I got some things accomplished.
I then went to the grocery store with my daughter and it was exhausting. I’m looking forward to my day off tomorrow.
My sotd is Fleur de Chine, copied from Aurora yesterday.
Glad to hear you had a good day at work. Why did your daughter come along for grocery shopping, though?
If I am not working, I bring her pretty much everywhere with me.
I do this for mother/ daughter time, but also in hope that she continues to improve her social skills and practice appropriate behavior. Tonight didn’t go well, as she was not appropriate, and I had to keep chasing her down.
I once had a lady say to me that I shouldn’t bring my daughter out. I literally burst into tears. Which made my daughter more upset. The lady ended up feeling so bad she shoved money in my hand and told me to buy my daughter something from the store.
That is so hard. I remember what a struggle it was to shop with my (adhd) son when he was young. Echoing Jalapeno…hang in there lillyjo!
Thanks for the detailed answer. I wondered if your daughter liked doing it, or if she would get bored.
Hang in there!
Hope you have à nice relaxing day tomorrow and can treat yourself to something special.
Thank you Laila.
I’m sorry and that you were not too close to tears, you smell wonderfully elegant as a consolation.
I was going to wear my horse-mane accord perfume, Cartier L’Heure Fugueuse, but I don’t have the bottle with me, it is sitting in my office drawer, so I went with Strange Invisible Perfume Aquarian Roses, which has a touch of wildness and open space to it, thanks to its combo and marjoram, rose and sandalwood.